Obituary: Bemis, Delbert

Age 91

BEMIS, Delbert (Age 91) Passed away on January 7, 2013. Born in Whitman, MA. on May 19, 1921, the family soon migrated to Chicago, Il. Delbert was a veteran of WWII having served in Patton’s 3rd Army, 94th Infantry Division, 794th Ordnance (LM). He returned to the Chicago area upon receiving his Honorable Discharge, to marry the girl next door. In 1947, he and his new wife Jeanne Kunze, journeyed to Spokane to begin their life together. Del worked a variety of jobs through the years. He served as Scout Master for Boy Scout Troop 438 while his son was in Boy Scouts, and he and Jeanne spent a number of years Square Dancing with the Silver Spurs and Valley Cross Trailers. He retired after working 24 years as Route Manager for Valley Garbage. Life took on a whole new meaning with retirement. Del started skiing with the Mt. Spokane Powderhounds in 1984, teaching Downhill Skiing to Special Olympics athletes. He also started working with the MS Society at the Salvation Army, providing water therapy for MS patients. In his spare time he organized Valley Citizens for CPR. This caring and sensitive man has left a legacy of thoughtful deeds, and monumental memories for his children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces and nephews that will always be treasured. Del instilled in his family, his love for life. He enjoyed laughter, and demonstrated how to turn everything into fun. He combined his love for his family and the outdoors by filling vacations with hiking, camping, and water sports. Many of the most enjoyable memories he and Jeanne left their family with, were the days at the little round cabin on Coeur D’Alene Lake. Del was preceded in death by Jeanne, his wife of 64 years, his parents Ernest Bemis and Amelia Walbourn, his five siblings and two grandchildren Andrew Duane and Nicole Lynn. He is survived by oldest daughter Barbara and her husband Mac from Arizona. Son, Duane and his wife Darilyn from Texas and youngest daughter Kristine and her husband Walter from Spokane. He leaves behind ten grandchildren and numerous great-grandchildren. Donations may be made to the Spokane Parks and Recreation Department, c/o Therapeutic Recreation (TRS) 808 W. Spokane Falls Blvd. Spokane, WA 99201 or the MS Society 818 East Sharp Spokane, WA 99202. His memorial service will be held on Saturday, April 20th, 2013 at 2pm at Thornhill Valley Chapel 1400 South Pines Road, Spokane Valley, WA 99206. To this very special man we say Thank You for the wonderful memories… Thank You for the privilege of sharing life, and Thank You for the profound lessons you taught by the kind of man you were!